Christian Pulisic, the 20-year-old American attacking midfielder, is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2020.

This season Pulisic has been forced to spend more time on the bench as Jadon Sancho has emerged at Dortmund.

Nevertheless, Pulisic has three goals and four assists in 14 matches in all competitions.

Liverpool vs Chelsea
Rumours keep swirling that Liverpool and Chelsea are both in the race to sign Pulisic.

Those rumours solidified this week when Ruhr Nachrichten confirmed that Chelsea have made an official bid to Borussia Dortmund to buy Pulisic in January.

Ruhr Nachrichten noted that BVB are to bat away Chelsea’s bid. The club values Pulisic at 80 million euros.

The Germans are keen to hold onto Pulisic, while the local news outlet revealed the club told Pulisic’s family he’s not for sale this January.

That conversation happened during the recent international break.

Thorgan Hazard could be the key
However on Tuesday, the Telegraph have suggested that Thorgan Hazard could hold the key to Chelsea completing a deal for Pulisic in the new year.

According to the broadsheet, Chelsea have an option to buy back Thorgan Hazard.

Hazard has been on fire for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season. He has 11 goals and six assists in 15 matches in all competitions.

He also recently scored twice for Belgium against Switzerland.

The Telegraph report that Dortmund could sell Pulisic if they get Hazard in the deal:

The German club are understood to be looking at Thorgan Hazard, the brother of Eden, as a potential replacement and Chelsea have a buy-back clause on the Belgian, who they sold to Borussia Mönchengladbach for £5.9 million.

That opens up the possibility of Chelsea agreeing to give Dortmund a free run at Hazard if they allow Pulisic to move to Stamford Bridge.